Title Embracing Euphoria
Author C. Becker
Genre Romantic Suspense
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
Hailey Langley tries to wrap her mind around the news her husband survived a fire she thought had killed him. Before she can search for him, Hailey has a promise to keep that takes her to Colombia where she must face the drug lord behind her husband’s attack.
Mark Langley is suffering from his own plight and insecurities, including burns and PTSD. Beneath Mark’s scarred exterior is a man seeking acceptance from a wife he refuses to see. Uncertain if he will ever reunite with his family, Mark struggles through his therapies, hopeful an experimental drug from the Euphoria plant will heal his scars.
When another villain from Colombia seeks revenge, Hailey and Mark must learn to trust and love again as they battle their newest threat and find their way back to each other.
Excerpt
Moments later, Mark exhaled. “I’ve spent too much of my life in bed.” He slid closer, wincing.
“Don’t hurt yourself. I’ll move to you.” She nestled closer against him, laying her hand over his. “This feels much better. I’ve missed how your touch warms me up.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” His voice was a husky whisper. “When I was in the hospital, I doubted I’d ever get out of bed.”
For a moment, Hailey froze. He’s opening up. Don’t push him. She carefully chose her words. “How much do you remember?”
“Not much. I have lots of blanks…I remember being scared…and the pain…oh, the pain was indescribable.” His body trembled, and he began to cry. “God, Hailey, why did this have to happen? In one moment, our whole world spun upside down.”
She closed her eyes, holding him. Mark had always been strong. She stroked the pressure garment covering his arm. Dammit, she couldn’t even caress his skin. “We’re going to get through this.”
A few minutes passed, and Mark cleared his throat. “I remember hearing voices. Most days, I didn’t have the energy to open my eyes.” His body quivered. “I prayed that God would take me.”
A tear ran down her cheek when she opened her eyes again. “Do you remember David visiting you at the hospital?”
“Yeah. David helped me hold my shit together. He kicked my ass when I got discouraged. Cried with me. Told his idiotic jokes.”
I should’ve been there. Not David.
Mark sniffled. “He pestered the doctors about prescribing more opioids. He hated to see me in agony.” He sniffled again. “Then I became addicted to the pain meds. It was tough going for a while.”
She held him tighter. “I’m sorry.”
“I wanted more, but the doctors limited what I took. When the pain got out of control, David threatened to find drugs on his own. It was a nightmare.” He shuddered. “When I was finally able to sit up, I saw how badly I was burned. God, Hailey. I’m a freakin’ monster.”
“You are not.” She rubbed her hand over his. If only she could erase his pain. “I won’t let you be hard on yourself. I love everything about you. You’re a loving husband and a wonderful father to our children. The kids and I need you. You’re our world.”
“You had a right to know I was alive. I’m sorry I deceived you, but I couldn’t hurt you anymore.” He wiped his eyes. “This isn’t what I want for us.”
She didn’t want this either. Tears blurred her own eyes, but she dared not wipe them. “We’ll get through this.”
“I’m supposed to protect you. This isn’t fair to you…I may never work again.” Mark’s voice cracked. “How can I provide for you and the kids?”
“That doesn’t matter. The kids are older now. I have a job at the college. I’ll take care of us.”
“What if I never work again?”
“The DTA won’t turn away your expertise. Owen’s a pain, but he’s not stupid.”
Mark exhaled. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to make love to you again.”
She closed her eyes and clung to him. After everything he’d gone through, he was concerned about lovemaking. “We’ll find other ways for intimacy. We’ll take small steps.”
“What if I can’t live up to your expectations?”
She let out a small gasp. “Honey, my only expectation is to spend my life with you. Trust me. We’ll proceed with whatever you’re comfortable with.”
He rested his head against her. “How’d I get so lucky to find you?”
“I’m the lucky one.” The heat of his body transferred across her skin, soothing her nerves. For eight horrible dark months, Hailey believed she’d lost him. Now her heart pounded obstinately, crying with each thump, “Mark’s alive!”
“I want to make love to you,” he whispered, “but I need time.”
She kissed his head, his hair tickling her lips. “When that time comes, we’ll figure it out—together.”
Once he drifted to sleep, Hailey slid out of the covers and tiptoed into the bathroom. She switched on the fan and sink faucet to provide background noise as she wept. When she applied the salve over Mark’s skin, she’d been a master of hiding her emotions. He was so self-conscious he hadn’t noticed her anger as she touched his scars.
She clenched her teeth as bile rose higher in her throat. Mark’s injury was barbarous! No one could comprehend his suffering. Thank God David had pulled him from the fire.
Grabbing two fistfuls of hair, she bent over and moaned. Damn Mendoza!
Why hadn’t she prevented Mark’s attack? Catching bad guys was her career. She should’ve recognized the danger they’d been in.
At least now Mendoza and his goons were dead. No one will hurt Mark or my kids ever again.
Hailey rose to her feet, splashed cold water on her face, and crawled back into bed. Mark’s snores comforted her as she stared at the ceiling.
The sweet scent of salve pervaded her husband’s natural earthy scent. How did she feel about Bruce and Mark naming the salve Euphoria? Was it possible Bixa aparra could hold some benefit even though it killed her son? Mark had said everything deserved a second chance. An opportunity for redemption. Even Manuel Mendoza died saving his daughter.
She tugged the covers and twisted to her side. The night had been a promising reboot of their relationship. Spreading salve over Mark’s body had been emotional, but they powered through the awkwardness. Mark wanted space; he needed time to trust again and work through his insecurities.
A serene peace settled on Hailey’s soul. With time, she and Mark could rebuild a stronger relationship. She rested her arm over his chest and waited as sleep overtook her.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
The Wild Rose Press: https://wildrosepress.com/product/embracing-euphoria/
Facebook Party:
March 19th is the big day—the release of Embracing Euphoria! Stop by Wednesday to hear about my last episode of the Euphoria trilogy and enter to win in the giveaway! Party begins at 9am and continues until 8pm!
$20 Amazon Gift Card to lucky winner drawn from participants attending the FB Party who Like, Follow, Share and Comment on the event.
In-Person Book Launch Party in Bridgeport, WV on March 23, 2025 from 1:30-3:30pm $20 Amazon Gift Card giveaway and miniature faux Bixa aparra plants as party favors. Copies of Embracing Euphoria and the trilogy books available for signing.
Author Biography:
C. Becker is a romance suspense writer, musician, and lover of crafts. She has a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology and worked in the clinical hospital setting until she began raising a family. As her children grew older, she never outgrew the attraction of using science in everyday life. She turned to teaching, music, and eventually to writing stories. She considers herself a “jack of all trades,” and readily admits she is a “master of none.” Yes, she even does home improvement projects! Becker has published three romance suspense novels in the Euphoria trilogy, several poems, and over a dozen children’s books (under Colleen Driscoll). Becker enjoys hanging out with her family and Jack Russell, playing the piano, reading, traveling, and gardening.
Social media links:
Website address: http://cbeckerauthor.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/beckercee/